> The goal I seek (making the computer a medium of artistic expression) is as yet of little interest to society.
Excuse me, but: what? 'The computer' is and has been, in fact, a medium of artistic expression. For millions of people. For multiple decades. Has this person been living in a cave?
Are you claiming that, in a business setting, all people who are nice to work and talk with are manipulators? Do you think Warren Buffet is incapable of discerning the difference between an authentically pleasant, kind person and a manipulator? Does he strike you as the kind of person to be easily duped?
Whether we're talking about Buffet or in general, this is a pretty dim view of work and of the world. Most of us spend the majority of our time at work. For many (for most, I hope), building relationships at work isn't the bizarre lifehack game I so often see it characterized as here. Instead, those human connections are intrinsically fulfilling and they help give meaning to the work and to our lives, which can sometimes feel arbitrary and meaningless.
2. If they say no, ask for another time that works better. People are polite, so many will not say no. Schedule this time immediately and have them confirm on the calendar right away.
3. If they say yes, immediately start asking them empathetic questions that demonstrate knowledge of their problems, followed by, "Does any of this resonate with you?"
Feels like the heyday of OS X, which for me was undoubtedly between 2006-2012. Delicious Library, Toast, Transmit. I could go on.
Congrats to the creator :)